Show tice- tice f r ANYTHING By fly G FOR ABBOTT A A FRIEND eC I CAM AM looked uncomfortable as he heO heU O J U stood with his large feet planted awkwardly on Harriet Sweets Sweet oriental rug Ills violin was tucked under one arm and with hla Ma freehand free lIce freehand hand he pushed a thick lock of ot hair away from his hii dark ugly face tace All AU right Sam lets let's try it again said Harriet She sat ant straight-backed straight on the piano bench and played the introduction to on the mahogany grand Her lIer gray head kept time timeto to the music with lively little tittle nods Yes Ye maam ma'am said Sam Ills His voice was changing Every move movene lie ne made was done in an agony of ot self consciousness lIe He brought his violin up to his chin and then forgot forgot for for- got himself as he brought the rich tones to life lUe beneath his fingers Harriet sighed as the last note became stilled That was splendid Sam she said I haven't another anether pupil as talented as you are arc A light showed briefly in his dark eyes end then he blushed and moistened his lips Ups Harriet wondered sometimes why she wanted so much to win this boys boy's friendship He lie was unattractive tive He lie lIe had a last name she couldn't begin to pronounce It was partly the longing of a lonely childless child less woman she supposed for someone to mother The music should have formed a bond between them But Dut up tip to now she felt teU she was losing the battle to pierce his shyness and win Sams Sam's friendship For six months he had bad come to her herfor herfor for tor his weekly lesson but although although although al al- al- al though she had tried In every way she Rhe kne knew to get next to the boy she bad had failed I have no friends he had told her once bluntly when she had questioned him and she had bad an aching picture of him working hard after school to earn money to help out at home with his brothers and sisters squeezing out the extra dollar for tor a music lesson practicing late at night She would have loved to help him in some way but he was proud and Independent Sam cleared his throat and wiped his arm across his sweating fore tore head Mrs Sweet Im I'm going to stop taking lessons he said Oh Sam said Harriet Why My kid brother busted my violin This one Is borrowed from my old oldmans oldmans mans man's sister Just for tonight Im I'm going to earn another fiddle It will take a while They have them at Brothers' Brothers music store for tor 15 bucks As soon as I get it Ill I'll be back It was the longest speech he tad had ever made Harriet reached over the bronze bust of Beethoven on top of at the piano piano piano pi pi- pi- pi ano and took her own violin lovingly loving loving- ly 17 from tram its It alligator case Theres no need of at missing those lessons Sam she said You may mayuse mayuse use USA my my violin as long as you need one She tried not to think about the kid brother who busted violins This one bad bed cost east her a thousand dollars Sams Sam's face was wal shining Gee Mrs Sweet Gee Geel I Ill I'll make It right with you he h. added hastily humy I know you'll youn take good care of it Oh yes maam She followed up her ber advantage I I wish you'd always try to think of me ma as al your friend Sam I like Ilka you very much lIe He looked down at st the floor and shifted from one foot toot to the other e HARRIET thought thO of Sam Liam often otten in the following week She thought of his large strong hands handa that would bring heartbreakingly sweet melodies out of ot her violin She wondered if U the boy would like the Incredibly rich full tone of ot the Instrument She didn't see him again till Ull the following week As he came In he was filled with a strange restlessness restless restless- restlessness ness that he couldn't control Last week you said that you ou were my friend Why yes Sam Theres something Important Ive I've got to ask you This IbIs was the moment she had been hoping for tor In all her months of ot knowing Sam Ill do anything I can for you Sam she said quietly He lie stood there facing her almost defiant in his earnestness For the i f ft k j t t She h had a d an aching picture of him working V hard after school to earn money t to 0 help out at home w with his ls brothers and sisters moment his shyness and awkwardness awkward ness were goneI goneI goneI gone I played your violin all week he said feverishly It was smooth as as-as as as oil all or something Gee it was swell swell His eyes were blazing and his dark face was no longer ugly Look Mrs 1 Sweet I can get 50 bucks from my uncle Id I'd work to pay It back to him He lIe saw the look of surprise on her face Ills His voice cracked ashe as al ashe he went on Gosh I know it probably cost you some dough Id I'd even pay par 75 bucks for tor It If She was staring at him I There was no sound In the room but the slow ticking of the grandfather clock I He Ue flushed and looked down at the floor His ills fingers were restless on i his plaid cap In a sudden agony of embarrassment he thrust his I hands behind him You think It Its It's an 0 O. K K tiMI dJ too he said I suppose I shouldn't be asking you for tor it Even If U you are my friend She only a moment be be- be- be fore tore she walked toward him and placed her small veined blue-veined hand lightly on his arm Yes Sam I am a little attached to the Instrument But if U you think you can raise 50 SO dollars the violin is yours For a moment I was shocked because you see 50 dollars is quite a bit of money to take Especially Especially Es Es- from a friend |